How to Stay Safe Before, During and After an Earthquake

An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the earth caused by the shifting of rock beneath the earth’s surface. They strike without warning, at any time of year, day or night.

Forty-five U.S. states and territories are at moderate to very high risk of earthquakes.

The American Red Cross is sharing the following tips to keep your loved ones safe:

Practice DROP, COVER and HOLD ON with all members of your household.

Doorways are no stronger than any other part of a structure so don’t rely on them for protection! During an earthquake, get under a sturdy piece of furniture and hold on.

Protecting Your Family

Talk about earthquakes with your family so that everyone knows what to do in case of an earthquake. Discussing ahead of time helps reduce fear, particularly for younger children.

Check at your workplace and your children’s schools and day care centers to learn about their earthquake emergency plans.

Pick safe places in each room of your home, workplace and/or school. A safe place could be under a piece of furniture or against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases or tall furniture that could fall on you.

Bolt and brace water heaters and gas appliances to wall studs. Have a professional install flexible fittings to avoid gas or water leaks.

Do not hang heavy items, such as pictures and mirrors, near beds, couches and anywhere people sleep or sit.

Install strong latches or bolts on cabinets. Large or heavy items should be closest to the floor.

Learn how to shut off the gas valves in your home and keep a wrench handy for that purpose.

Place large and heavy objects and breakable items (bottled foods, glass or china) on lower shelves.

Anchor overhead lighting fixtures to joists.

Anchor top-heavy, tall and freestanding furniture such as bookcases, china cabinets to wall studs to keep these from toppling over.

Ask about home repair and strengthening tips for exterior features, such as porches, decks, sliding glass doors, canopies, carports and garage doors.

Learn about your area’s seismic building standards and land use codes before you begin new construction.

Have a professional make sure your home is securely anchored to its foundation, as well as strengthening tips for exterior features, such as porches, decks, sliding glass doors, canopies, carports and garage doors.

During an Earthquake

Staying Safe Indoors

DROP, COVER and HOLD ON!

o Move as little as possible – most injuries during earthquakes occur because of people moving around, falling and suffering sprains, fractures and head injuries.

o Try to protect your head and torso.

If you are in bed, stay there, curl up and hold on, and cover your head.

Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to exit.

o If you must leave a building after the shaking stops, use stairs rather than an elevator in case of aftershocks, power outages or other damage.

Be aware that smoke alarms and sprinkler systems frequently go off in buildings during an earthquake, even if there is no fire.

If you smell gas, get out of the house and move as far away as possible.

Before you leave any building check to make sure that there is no debris from the building that could fall on you.

Staying Safe Outdoors

Find a clear spot and drop to the ground. Stay there until the shaking stops.

Try to get as far away from buildings, power lines, trees, and streetlights as possible.

If you’re in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location and stop. Avoid bridges, overpasses and power lines if possible.

o Stay inside with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops.

o After the shaking has stopped, drive on carefully, avoiding bridges and ramps that may have been damaged.

o If a power line falls on your vehicle, do not get out. Wait for assistance.

If you are in a mountainous area or near unstable slopes or cliffs, be alert for falling rocks and other debris as well as landslides.

After an Earthquake

If you do nothing else:

If away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so.

Check yourself for injuries and get first aid, if necessary, before helping injured or trapped persons.

After an earthquake, the disaster may continue. Expect and prepare for potential aftershocks, landslides or even a tsunami if you live on a coast.

Each time you feel an aftershock, DROP, COVER and HOLD ON.

Aftershocks frequently occur minutes, days, weeks and even months following an earthquake.

Look for and extinguish small fires. Fire is the most common hazard after an earthquake.

Caring for Yourself & Loved Ones

If you are at home, look quickly for damage in and around your home and get everyone out if your home is unsafe.

Listen to a portable, battery operated or handcrank radio for updated emergency information and instructions.

Pay attention to how you and your loved ones are experiencing and handling stress. Promote emotional recovery by following these tips.

Watch animals closely and keep them under your direct control.

Help people who require additional assistance—infants, elderly people, those without transportation, large families who may need additional help in an emergency situation, people with disabilities, and the people who care for them.

Be careful when driving after an earthquake and anticipate traffic light outages.

Returning Home Safely

Stay out of damaged buildings.

Use extreme caution and examine walls, floors, doors, staircases and windows to check for damage.

Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and report them to the utility company immediately.

If you smell natural or propane gas or hear a hissing noise, leave immediately and call the fire department.

Open closet and cabinet doors carefully as contents may have shifted.

Follow these tips for inspecting your home’s structure and utilities & systems after an earthquake. Take pictures of home damage, both of the buildings and its contents, for insurance purposes.

Advertisements

If you enjoyed the content, please share it with your community.

Like this:

LikeLoading...

Published by

American Red Cross Gold Country Region

The American Red Cross Gold Country Region serves the Sierra-Delta Chapter as well as the Northeastern California Chapter, a total of 24 Counties from Stanislaus to Siskiyou. We are happy to serve the 4.4 million residents in the state.
View all posts by American Red Cross Gold Country Region

One thought on “How to Stay Safe Before, During and After an Earthquake”

Seeing this inspires me to check with my apartment manager about what to do in case of an earthquake here in downtown Sacramento. My apartment is in the middle of the building where all the mains are located for each utility. No time like the present to get prepared.